autisticadulting

Why Tiny Wins Matter More Than You Think

🥪 Start with Lunch, Not Your Life Plan: The Psychology of Tiny Wins You don’t need a five-year plan today. You just need to choose what to eat for lunch. Seriously. Start there. One small decision builds momentum for the next. That’s how real change begins—not in a spreadsheet, but in the sandwich aisle. If you’re ADHD? Those micro-wins keep you from spiraling into impulsivity. OCD? Practice quick, low-stakes decisions—like what to wear—to chip away at the checking loop. I’ve been there. Closet full of pearl snap shirts, and I’m stuck spiraling: Did I wear this last week? Will people notice? Is this the “Tuesday shirt”? Eventually, I just had to pick one… and go. Autistic? Start with something familiar. Familiarity is a grounding strategy—it builds the decision-making muscle without triggering sensory overload. And then—here’s the kicker—accept regret. Not every choice will be perfect. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t to be flawless. It’s to move forward. 🧠 The brain doesn’t thrive on perfection. It thrives on progress.